How to Reclaim Christmas: From Stress to Celebration
The Pressure of Perfecting Christmas
You’re the unsung hero of your household, getting ready for the usual Christmas tornado. Juggling gifts for every distant relative and grappling with stubborn rolls of gift wrap long after bedtime, you’re on a mission to create the ultimate holiday magic for your family. Vogue-worthy decorations, the perfect roast turkey, and Grandma’s legendary pavlova recipe all crowd your to-do list, not to mention the task of impressing your meticulous in-laws. As the pressure piles up, you find yourself on the brink of giving in, quietly dreading the chaos and fatigue that often come hand-in-hand with the festive season.
Does this sound familiar to you? Read on if you’re ready to ditch the Christmas stress and start enjoying the holidays.
6 Ways to Make Christmas Fun Again
Get ready to revive your Christmas cheer! Here are some practical tips to make this special time of year a lot more enjoyable for you.
1. Use a Delivery Service for Easy, Delicious Meals
Take a break from cooking this Christmas and let an Australian meal delivery service come to your rescue. Put exhausting meal prep on Santa’s naughty list and allow Gourmet Dinner Service’s expert chefs to curate a mouth-watering feast for you and your family.
Get your party started early by choosing canapes from dozens of options on our entertaining menu, including goats cheese tarts with caramelised onions, mushroom and mozzarella arancini, and teriyaki salmon skewers, which are sure to impress.
Treat yourself to a stress-free Christmas feast filled with succulent ham and turkey trimmed with stuffing, gravy and condiments, fresh seafood and meats, salads and delicious desserts that will leave everyone wanting more. Check out our sumptuous Christmas menu here — we even tell you how to store and serve our food!
2. Say Goodbye to Supermarket Madness
Dodge the chaos of supermarket trolley wars, shopping lists and valuable time spent circling the shopping centre carpark. Opt for the convenience of online shopping with your local supermarket or doorstep delivery from Gourmet Dinner Service. Embrace the luxury of extra time for yourself when you don’t have to deal with the hassle of last-minute supermarket runs and frantic kitchen preparations. Say goodbye to Christmas Eve shopping at the fish market and order your premium Australian tiger prawns ahead of time. Spend your newfound free time outdoors in the sun, decorating your home for the big day, or baking our quick and easy Christmas shortbread, rather than navigating busy aisles and crowded checkout queues.
3. Design a Special Christmas Menu
When you order in some or all of your Christmas food, the pressure comes right off. Once again, you can find pleasure in crafting a unique menu including traditional favourites or with a modern twist. If you enjoy cooking, then by all means focus on refining your best Christmas recipes such as the perfect roast turkey. But if cooking’s not your thing, you can put your efforts into the visual appeal of the table decorations and how each dish will be served. Whether you’ve cooked yourself or not, your guests are sure to appreciate a menu that you’ve put thought into.
4. Prepare Ahead
Make your Christmas lunch a breeze by getting ahead with your cooking. Prep your marinades, sauces and sides in advance to reduce the time spent in the kitchen on the big day. With less stress in the kitchen, you can spend more time with your loved ones and enjoy the day as much as they do.
If you are hosting a crowd of extended family and friends this Christmas, follow our handy guide to stress-free Christmas catering for the masses. You can thank us later!
5. You Can Win Friends with Salad and Sides
Why not simplify your Christmas lunch by outsourcing some of side dishes you can’t find at the supermarket? For example, Gourmet Dinner Service does a spectacular range of festive salads and chef-made accompaniements that will jazz up your menu. You can focus on cooking the roast turkey and ham but buy in the Orange, Almond + Herb Stuffing, Traditional Gravy, Ham Glaze, Roast Veg or Delicious Canapes. Try the Christmas Greek Salad, Moroccan Couscous Salad or the Christmas Crunch Salad. No one said you had to cook everything yourself!
6. Designate Dessert
Write your Christmas wish list and ask a few family members or friends to each bring a dessert to your Christmas lunch — you could even recommend our Walnut + Chocolate Meringue Torte for a seriously easy twist on the classic pavlova. Delegating dessert will take a load off your shoulders and let other people add a personal touch to the meal.
If that’s not your style, order some sweet treats from Gourmet Dinner Service with just a few clicks and let us handle the dessert so you can focus on enjoying the day. What’s better on Christmas Day than a share platter of desserts, a baked passionfruit cheesecake or a classic Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and mince pies on the side?
Making Time for Joy
Now that you’ve organised your stress-free Christmas, what will you do with all your free time? Here are some simple ideas for a fun Christmas holiday:
- Soak up the sun and enjoy a day at the beach with a picnic spread of fresh fruits, sandwiches, and cold drinks. Relax, have a sandcastle-building competition and take a refreshing dip in the ocean for the ultimate Summer Christmas experience.
- Gather your mates for a friendly game of cricket or frisbee in the park. Enjoy a healthy contest and good times in the great outdoors.
- Run a Christmas movie marathon at home in front of the TV, or create your own private outdoor cinema in the backyard. Grab some popcorn, unwind and let the holiday spirit sink in.
- Spread some Christmas cheer by volunteering at local charities or community events. Whether serving meals, organising food donations, or visiting those without family, giving back can be a fulfilling way to celebrate the season.
- Put your feet up and just relax! Give yourself the gift of relaxation and rejuvenation this Christmas, cancel your to-do list and do whatever you want instead.
Savour the Season
Amidst the chaos of the Christmas season, remember to pause and enjoy the little things. Feel free to take some shortcuts — like a ready-made Christmas dinner or opting for minimal decorations around the home. Embrace the idea of deviating from tradition to make more time for precious moments with your loved ones. At the end of the day, Christmas is all about those special connections and the joy of being together.
